Facts: Young People & Alcohol

• Compared to adults, young people are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm.
• Drinking alcohol can impact brain development up until the age of 25, resulting in affected attention, memory, and decision-making abilities.
• Teenagers are likely to drink more and take more risks when drinking compared to older people. 
• Alcohol exposes teenagers to a greater risk of injury and harm, and doing things they may later regret, than adults.
• The earlier a young person is introduced to alcohol, and the more frequently they drink, the more likely they are to become dependant on alcohol later in life.
• Delaying drinking alcohol as long as possible can help to reduce harms. The Australian alcohol guidelines recommend delaying the first drink until at least 18 years of age.
• While young people are less likely to drink alcohol than past generations, when they do, they are likely to drink to intoxication, resulting in injuries, alcohol poisoning and sometimes death.
• Alcohol contributes to the three leading causes of death among young people which are unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. 

Having the ‘Other Talk’

Talking with your child about alcohol is important because:

• Research shows that parents’ attitudes and actions have a huge impact on a young person’s drinking behaviour.
• Your rules around alcohol use can decrease the likelihood of your young person engaging in risky drinking.
• Your decision not to allow your young person to drink is backed by laws in most states and territories.

The ADF has produced a helpful guide for having a positive conversation with young people about alcohol and drugs. View and download the ADF’s guide to having ‘the other talk’ below.

For more information and helpful resources for parents from the ADF click here to go to their website.

The article “Alcohol and Your Teenage Brain” explains why alcohol and the teenage brain don’t mix – click here to read the article.